🪐 Million-Dollar Planetarium + Ground Broken at "The Cubes" + Drought

Good morning, Queens! 🏆

As of yesterday, it is officially fall, and as of today, it is officially Friday! Here are today's headlies:

• 🪐 A new $1 million planetarium will be built as part of the expansion of the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens.
• 🧊 Construction at "The Cubes"has officially begun.
• 🥳 Happy 103rd birthday to Woodside resident Gertrude Dunseath!

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☀️ Mostly sunny; 💨 windy, cooler. High: 64 Low: 50.

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Here are the top stories in Queens today:

1. New York State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris announced Thursday that a new $1 million planetarium will be built as part of the expansion of the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens. The new science facility will seat approximately 70 people, and its feature programs are expected to serve up to 10,000 people annually. Construction is expected to begin next year and be completed in 2026. Opened in Astoria nearly seventy years ago, the Boys and Girls Club of Queens provides a safe learning and playing environment for the community's children.

Gothamist

2. Elected officials, community leaders and NYC Parks officials broke ground on "The Cubes" on Wednesday, a new 2,640 square-foot, two-story building on the grounds of Socrates Sculpture Park. Designed by innovative architecture studio LOT-EK, "The Cubes" will house the park's administrative offices, and provides new indoor facilities for arts education, community work, and opportunities for year-round public programming. The new $5,735,000 million building will be constructed fom up-cycled shipping containers, an homage to the neighborhood's industrial roots.

Queens Courier

3. The effects of New York City's severe drought — a result of the driest August since 1994 — are laid bare at Paradise Community Garden, one of over 550 urban gardens across the city, supported by the Parks Department's Green Thumb Program. This means that garden volunteers at Paradise have been working double-time to keep the plants water. "It takes a lot of effort to keep up with making sure that everything is well fed and well hydrated," said Sacesha Bennett, a St. Albans resident. According to park officials, the communtiy gardens play an important role as part of the green infrastructure of the city during extreme weather events.

Spectrum News NY1

4. On Monday, Gertrude Dunseath, a Woodside resident, turned 103! This past Wednesday, Sept. 21, she celebrated her big day in good health with members at the Sunnyside Community Services (SCS) Center, who greeted her with cake, balloons, and flowers. Dunseath was born in Manhattan in 1919 and has been living in Queens for most of her life. According to Kerly Serrano, director of the Older Adult Center at SCS, Dunseath's secret to a long life is "enjoying yourself and having fun, and doing the things that you want to do."

Queens Courier

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🗞 Hankering for more headlines? 👀 Look no further:

• 'Duck sauce killer' widow pleads not guilty in Queens to weapon possession charge (New York Daily News)
• Little Amal makes landfall in Queens (Queens Chronicle)
• Queens Borough President Richards On City Planning Commission Vote To Approve Innovation QNS (Press Release Desk)
• Horror-themed pub the Flying Fox Tavern opens for business in Queens (AMNY)
• Suspect nabbed in fatal Queens stabbing of 55-year-old drinking buddy (New York Daily News)
  
• Non-profit health insurer shows its appreciation for Queens (Queens Courier)

• New York Drill Rappers Say They Were Removed From Queens' Rolling Loud Festival (The New York Times)

  
  

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🗓 To Do Today in Queens:

• The Adventure Returns: Avatar at Showcase Cinemas! (9:00 AM)

• Jamie xx, Four Tet + Floating Points (4:30 PM)
• Queens Live! Concert Series featuring DJ REKHA presented by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards (6:00 PM)
• FHAA Mooncakes for Mid Autumn Festival, 9/23, 6:30pm (6:30 PM)
• Live at Culture Lab LIC! (7:00 PM)
• An Evening of Music with Lenny White & Friends (8:00 PM)
• "Off The Meter, On the Record" written and performed by John McDonagh, directed by Ciaran O'Reilly (8:00 PM)

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🗣 Queens Chatter:

• Spread Love : "Now through Saturday, you may see artists on site working on the "Spread Love" mini murals! The "Spread Love" exhibition at the Garden is Presented by @UnfamousNY. Join us on Saturday, 9/24, 11am-5:30pm for a day-long opening reception with music by @djpamidor. Learn more at link in bio or www.UnfamousNY.com/QBG
  The outdoor exhibit will be on view now through 12/10/22 and features artists @thee_143 @bg183tatscru @beetlebob @beyarodriguez @blueafro @caryncast @wegot.thejazz @… See more." (Queens Botanical Garden via Facebook)
• Donate for victim of Hurricane Fiona at Queens Night Market: "This Saturday, we'll be collecting VOLUNTARY, suggested donations of $5 to support relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Fiona. If you can't give $5, please give whatever you can... 100% of the funds will go to on-the-ground assistance.
  In addition, we've pledged 33% of our own net proceeds to the cause, AND nearly 30 generous vendors have also pledged to donate on Saturday. See you this weekend! (Queens Night Market via Facebook)
• Fall is officially here: "Happy 1st day of Fall! This season is packed w festive programming, from the Amazing Maize Maze to pumpkins to hayrides. Sweeten up your wknd w cider donuts, join us for Halloween on the Farm Oct 30th, & the Autumn Dance Celebration Nov 13! https://queensfarm.org" (Queens County Farm Museum via Twitter)

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More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Keenan Steiner: Sneaky (September 23)
• JUST SOLD ! Renovated Tudor In Beautiful Forest Hills Gardens, Queens, NYC (September 24)
• EmblemHealth Healthier Futures Wellness Expo: Free Live Music & More! (September 24)
• 8th Annual ENY 5K (October 8)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll see you soon.

— Emma Radu Fighera

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Queens Daily? Contact me at queens@patch.com